Sclinas Star/ing 193 



Next morning early she went into her hovel, 

 where Elimelech had passed the night on his 

 usual perch. She fed the pony, and then, 

 gently removing the bird, began to put on 

 the harness. Elimelech flew up to a rafter, 

 and began to utter dolorous crooning whistles ; 

 and no sooner was the harnessing finished, than 

 down he flew again with a persistence that 

 somewhat perplexed his mistress 



14 No, my dear," she said to him, "you just 

 stay at home and keep house till we come 

 back." And laying hold of him tenderly, she 

 began to carry him across the garden to the 

 cottage, meaning to shut him up safe in his 

 cage till evening. But Elimelech seemed to 

 divine what was coming, and objected strongly ; 

 he struggled in her hand, and making his 

 escape, flew up and perched on the cottage 

 chimney. She shook her finger at him. 

 "Don't you get into mischief," she said, "or 

 you'll make us both unhappy." Elimelech 

 looked very wise up there, bowing and 

 whistling. "I'll take care of myself," he seemed 

 to say, and she thought he might be trusted 



